Sec. D-56. 20-A MRSA c. 608 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 608

SCHOOL FINANCE ACT OF 2003

§15751.__Short title

This chapter may be known and cited as "the School Finance Act of 2003."

§15752.__Mandated legislative appropriations for kindergarten

to grade 12 education

The Legislature each year shall provide at least 55% of the cost of the total allocation for kindergarten to grade 12 education from General Fund revenue sources as established in chapter 606-B.

For the purposes of this chapter, and until such time as the Legislature may implement an alternative school funding system, "total allocation" means the foundation allocation for a year, the debt service allocation for that year, the sum of all adjustments for that year and the total of the additional local appropriations for the prior year.__In the event the Legislature

implements an alternative school funding model that alters the meaning of the terms used in this Title or otherwise makes obsolete the system of allocations and local appropriations established by this Title, the term "total allocation" as it applies to the mandatory appropriation required by this section means the amount reasonably calculated as the equivalent of this definition.

§15753.__Mandated legislative appropriations for special education

The Legislature shall provide 100% of the state and local cost of providing all special education services mandated under federal or state law, rule or regulation as established in chapter 606-B.

For the purposes of the mandatory appropriation required by this section, and in accordance with the essential programs and services school funding allocation system established in chapter 606-B, the commissioner shall identify and provide in the